ROM SPACEKNIGHT #4

The Fire, The Friend, & The Foe!

Recap:
Rom is fighting with Archie Stryker who has been grafted to the Firefall (fallen Spaceknight) armor. He is a blind human pawn of the Dire Wraiths. Brandy has been kidnapped by some Wraiths. Her boyfriend Steve Jackson is in hot pursuit. By the end of the issue, Archie Stryker and Steve Jackson (both Rom-haters) realize that Rom has been telling the truth. Archie decides to believe Rom (with much disappointment) when he finds himself physiologically bonded to his Spaceknight armor. Steve realizes when he sees that his girlfriends captives aren't exactly of this world.

Favorite Panels:
These selections are all based around what's going on with Brandy Clarke this issue.

 In memory of Patrice O'Neal.

Chloroformed! This is only my second time reading through the Rom series but, I think this may be one of the best moments. Other than "Rom, I beg you, tell me where the woman is!" But, you'll have to wait til' around #70 for that.

Possums.

Don't worry, Brandy was only faking it. She works at a Science Lab. "I only had enough of the roofied drink to make it convincing." Brandy!

Ah!

Needless to say, the Wraith doesn't survive being run over.

Reflection:
It's too bad that Rom had to beat the crap out of Firefall (Archie Stryker) before convincing him that he was being used by the Dire Wraiths. He was so blinded by his hatred for Rom to see that he was fighting for the wrong side. Archie, a career criminal, was so disturbed by the sight of Rom "killing" humans that he vowed to do anything to stop him. Now his body is permanently bonded with the cyborg armor because he was taken advantage of. What a mistake!

A feller can't help but wonder, "Is somebody using my emotions against me?" The answer is Yes. The whole world is using your emotions against you. The main emotion is fear. Archie was afraid of what Rom was capable of and fell into the trap of the Dire Wraiths. Just as fear keeps us all doing what we are "supposed to do."

BLAH, BLAH, PROPAGANDA! IT'S A CONSPIRACY!